Operating mechanism for railway-switches.



Patented Aug. 28, I900.

c. u. BAYLES. A

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR RAILWAY SWITCHES.

(Application filed Jan. 27. 1900.)

m a w;

I llll.

wig

ill'lozucus m: nonm; PETERS cc, morauwo, WASHINGTON, n3:v

Patented Aug. 28, I900.

C. N. BAYLES.

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR RAILWAY SWITCHES.

(Application filed Jan. 27 1900.)

2 Sheets-8heet 2.

(No Model.

m: Nonms PETERS co, vnm'o-umo. WASNINGYQN, n. c.

PATENT FFICE CHARLES N. sA'YLEs, or UnnvA, wnsr VIRGINIA.

OPER A Tl N G MECHANISM FOR RAILWAY-SWITCHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 656,624, dated August 28, 1900.

Application filed January 2'7, 1900. Serial No. 3 ,055. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES N. BAYLES, a citizen of the United States,residing at Uneva, in the county of Mon ongalia and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Operating Mechanism for Railway-Switches; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, andto the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to operating mechanism for railway-switches, and has for one object to provide a simple and efficient mechanism enabling the quick and certain operation of the switch-rail without any especial attention on the part of-the motorman or conductor on the car which it is desired to switch onto the switch-rail or to retain on the straight or main track. I

A further object is to provide means for automatically locking the switch-rail afterit has been moved.

A further object is to provide means so arranged that when the switch-rail has been thrown in one direction it will be without f urther attention on the part of the operator on the car again returned to the original position from which it was moved. t

A further object is to provide a generally simplified and improved construction of mechanism for the purpose intended.

With such and other objects in view the invention is embodied in the novel parts, arrangement, and combination of parts hereinafter described, and particularly set forth in the claims. i

In. the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a mechanism embodying my invention, but desire it understood that I do not limit the invention to the particular construction there shown for the purpose of illustration.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view showing part of a main and switch track. Fig. 2 is an elevation enlarged of part of the mechanism for shifting the switch-rail. Fig. 3 is a sectional view-of the parts shown in Fig. 2. Fig at is an elevation of the parts shown in Fig. ,1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged crossso as to move in a horizontal plane.

section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an elevation illustrating the engaging device andoperating mechanism carried by the car, showing device o lowered. Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing the engaging device and operating mechanism in elevation.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates the rails of a main or straight track, and B indi cates the movable switch-rail of a switch or side track. At some distance in front of the switch-rail, so as to be reached by a device carried by the car before the latter reaches the switch, is an operating device 2, which is pivoted at 2 beside one rail of the track A,

This device 2 is, as shown, in the form of a bentor arc-shaped lever having two arms I) and 0, one extending on each side of its pivot and each preferably roundedor bent in at its outer end, as indicated at d. The device 2, as illustrated, may be pivoted to one of the traclc ties or any other suitable support and is so located with reference to the rail that where a T-rail is employed the arms of the device are adapted to move underthe upper flange or'head of the rail. This device 2 is connected, as by a link 6, to a pivoted member 3, which is shown as being an angle or bell-crank lever, and said pivoted member 3 is connected by a link f to a longitudinally-movable engaging member F. The member F is mounted in a bracket or supporting device 5, which is secured to any suitable base,as a tie,and in order to insure the easyoperation of the device F and prevent friction it is supported on two anti: friction-rollers, (indicated at 5 and 5 and it is retained in proper vertical position by suitable means, such as upright portions or arms 5, on opposite sides of the device F, If desired, a cross connecting-piece 5 may be provided at the upper end of the arms to prevent the displacement of the device F from the bracket.

4 indicates a switch-moving member, conveniently in the form of a plate pivoted at g to swing in a horizontal plane and so located that one portion thereof projects beneath the longitudinally-sliding member F, the plate 4 being provided with an upwardly-projecting rib or flange 4 which is of suificient length to be under the member F in any position of the plate. This rib'or flange 4 engages in a slot F in the member F or between shoulders thereon and is adapted when the member F is moved to swing the plate 4 on the pivot. The plate 4 is connected, as byalink h,to the free end of the switch-rail P and is adapted by the turning of the plate 4 on its pivot to swing the switch-rail toward and from the main-track rail. The member F is also connected, as by a rod or link 2', to a member 3 which, as shown, is in the form of an angle or bell-crank lever pivoted at j, which is similar to the bell-crank lever 3 and is connected, as by a link 7a, to one arm of an operating device 2 similar in all respects to the device 2 and similarly located at some little distance from the switch-rail point on the side opposite to that on which the device 2 is located.

Some means should be provided for locking the switch-rail to prevent accidental movement thereof, and for this purpose I employ the following novel mechanism: L is a movable locking member, shown in the drawings as being a lever pivoted at Z to swing in a vertical plane into engagement with a shoulder or shoulders L, carried by the plate 4. The lever L is shown as being guided and held from lateral movement by a slot in a plate 7, suitably-supported adjacent the pivoted plate 4 and preferably extending beneath the same. The locking member L is connected to a movable part of the switch throwing mechanism-such, for instance, as the bell-crank lever 3-by suitable means, such as a link or rod m. As it is desired to permit the plate 4 to be moved to the extreme of its movement before it is locked and as the lock device L is moved by a part of the switch-throwing mechanism, it is necessary to continue the movement of the lock device after the plate 4 has reached the limitof its movement. For this purpose I have shown the longitudinallysliding member F provided with means for disengaging it from the plate 4 when the latter is moved to its full extent in order that the device F may continue its movement and through its connection with the bell-crank lever 3 move the locking device L into engagement with the shoulders L. A convenient means for accomplishing this is to provide the member F with a downwardly-extending cam or an inclined surface or surfaces, (indicated at F2) which, after the plate 4 has been moved to the limit of its movement,reach the antifriction-rollers 5" and 5 and in the further movement of the member F cause the same to move up, disengagingits shoulders from the upwardly-extending rib or flange on the plate 4, thereby permitting the movement of the device F independently of the plate 4. I have shown the locking means for locking the plate 4 in one position thereof only; but it will be evident that by providing oppositely-inclined faces on the device F and an oppositely-moving lock device the plate 4 can be locked in either position.

Any suitable device on the car may be employed for engagement with the operating devices 2 and 2*, located beside the rail, but I have shown an effective construction in Figs. 6 and 7, wherein 0 indicates a part of the truck or framework of the car. Pivoted to this frame is a lever P, carrying at its free end a guide-wheel p, which is intended to run on the track-rail. This lever P works in a guide 19 on a guiding member Q for the engaging device q. The guide-frame Q is supported from a suitable part of the car frame or truck, so as to hold the wheel 19 in engagement with the inner side of the track-rail. A sprin g p is interposed between a suitable projection on the guide-frame Q and the lever P and acts to hold the latter downward. The engaging device q, as will be seen, is in the form of a bar or rod guided so as to be moved up or down in guides on the guide-frame Q and is connected, as by alink R, with suitable means for projecting it downward. The engaging device q is. by means of the guideframe and guide roller or wheel held just to the outside of the. track-rail, so that when moved downward it will move beside the rail and engage with the operating devices 2 and 2 For moving the engaging device Q downward I have shown a lever S on a short rockshaft .9, mounted on a suitable part of the car or truck frame and having an arm 8 thereon connected to the engaging device q. One of the arms of said lever S is connected by a rod or other suitable connection with a bell-crank lever T at one end of the car, and the other arm of the lever S is connected in a similar manner to a bell-crank lever T at the other end of the car. Each lever T and T is provided with suitable means, such as a headed rod U, extending up through the platformfloor,where it can be readily reached and oper ated by the foot of the conductor or motorman. A spring V is connected to one arm of said lever S and to a suitable stationary part and acts always to raise or hold the engaging device Q up out of the path of the operating devices2 and 2 Such being the construction and arrangement of parts, the operation is substantially as follows: Assuming the parts to be in the position indicated in Fig. 1 and a car to be approaching the switch from the left on the straight track and desiring to keep the straight track, the engaging device Q on the car or other suitable means is moved down beside the track-rail, so that the arm of the device 2, extending outwardly at an incline from the rail, will be engaged by said device. The device sliding on this inclined arm and being held from lateral outward movement, as by the guide-roller, will force said arm inward into the position indicated in dotted lines, and the device F will be drawn by the connections between the device 2 and itself into engagement with the upturned flange on the pivoted plate 4, the device F lowering as it moves on its cam or inclined projection. There is sufficient movement of the device F before it engages with the plate 4 to retract the lock device L from engagement with the plate 4. The furthermovement of the device F causes the swinging of theplate- 4, which, throughits connection therewith, swings the switch-rail. By means of the connections between said device F and the other operating device 2 the latteris moved into the position indicated in dotted lines, preat any time the car is approaching the switch on the same track from the right the operating device 2 will be first engaged and the switch opened to permit the movement of the car past the same.

It is evident that where a T-rail is not employed the rail can be hollowed or cut out sni'flcient to provide an overhanging flange for the operating devices 2 and 2 It will also be manifest that a suitable inclosing boxing or cover may be provided to inclose and protect the several parts of the mechanism, and, if desired, suitable traps or openings may be provided beneath the parts of the mechanism to prevent the collection of foreign particles or dirt, thus preventing the clogging or improper operation of the mechanism.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination in a switch-operating mechanism with a switch-rail, a pivoted member, connection between the same and said switch-rail, a longitudinally-movable en gaging member for engaging'and moving said pivoted member said pivoted member releasably engaging the same, means for moving said engaging member, and means for moving the engaging member to cause the same to disengage said pivoted member after the latter has been moved, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a switch-rail, of operating mechanism therefor, comprising a pivoted member connected to said switchrail, a longitudinally-movable member in proximity to the said pivoted member and releasably engaging the same, and means for moving said longitndinally-movable member and causing it to release said pivoted member, a lock device adapted to be moved into engagement with said pivoted member, and connections whereby the movement of said longitudinal member afterdisengagement operates said lock device, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a switch-rail, of operating mechanism therefor comprising a pivoted member having an upwardly-projecting rib or flange, a longitudinally-movable member located adjacent said pivoted member and having a part adapted to engage said rib or flange, means for causing said longitudinal member to disengage said flange, a lock device, and connections between the several parts whereby said lock device is caused to engage said pivoted member after the same has reached the limit of its movement, and means for moving the several parts, substantially as described. H

4E. The combination with a switch-rail, operating mechanism therefor comprising an operating device adapted to be engaged by a device carried by a car, a bell-crank lever connected to said operating device, a pivoted member, a connection from the latter to said switch-rail, a rib or flange on said pivoted member, a longitudinally-movable member adjacent said pivoted member and having a part engaging said rib or flange, means for causing the disengagement of said longitudinally-movable member from said rib or flange after it has moved the pivoted member, a connection from said longitudinallymovable member to said bell-crank lever, a movable lock device adapted to be moved. into engagement with said pivoted member, and a connection from said lock device to said bell-crank lever, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a switch-rail, operating mechanism therefor comprising an operating device adapted to be engaged by a device carried by a car, a bell-crank lever.

connected to said operating device, a pivoted member, a connection from the latter to said switch-rail, a rib or flange on said pivoted member, a longitudinally-movable member adjacent said pivoted member and having a part engaging said rib or flange, meansfor causing the disengagement of said longitudinally-movable member from said rib or flange after it has moved the pivoted member, a connection from said longitudinallymovable member to said bell-crank lever, a movable lock device adapted to be moved into engagement with said pivoted member, a connection from said lock device to said bell-crank lever, a second oppositely-arranged operating device adapted to be engaged by a device carried by a car, a bell-crank lever, a

ICC

connection from thesame to said second opcrating device, and a connection from said second bell-crank lever to said longitudinallymovable member, substantially as described.

6. In an operating mechanism for a switchrail, a bent-lever operating device pivoted to swing in a horizontal plane adjacent the trackrail, and one arm of said lever adapted to lie beneath an upper flange or part of the rail, and the other arm adapted to extend at an angle to said rail, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHAS. N. BAYLES. Witnesses:

FRANK E. DAWSON, JAMES T. HALL. 

